Prime Minister Stephen Harper says Canadian jets will enforce the UN resolution calling for a no-fly zone over Libya to prevent further bloodshed despite reports of a ceasefire in the war-torn country.

“The people of Libya have shown through their sacrifices that they believe (in freedom). Helping the Libyan people is a moral obligation for all of us who profess to support that great ideal.”

Harper said even though it appears Col. Moammar Gadhafi is prepared to honour a ceasefire, Harper said CF-18 jets will join the HMCS Charlottetown and other allies in region to make sure there are no further massacres.

“Canadian armed forces will enforce this (UN) resolution,” Harper said, adding that he was encouraged by recent reports of a ceasefire.

“However, in order for that threat of intervention to remain credible, adequate military forces must in place. We will therefore move forward with our deployment,” he told reporters in the foyer of the House of Commons.

Harper said he will be consulting Parliament next week in order to seek approval to extend the deployment beyond three months if necessary.

Since the conflict Canada has removed Canadian citizens from Libya, put in place sanctions and called on the Gadhafi regime to stop the war on its own people and step down.

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